Why Women Should Care about Their Colons
When is the last time you talked about colon cancer? It’s a disease no one wants to talk about, yet it is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. A lot of work has gone into bringing awareness to this disease, but because it deals with part of the body that our society is uncomfortable talking about, many suffer needlessly because they postponed a colonoscopy or neglected it altogether.
The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) believes that women are the key to reversing the stigma associated with colon cancer and an important factor in successfully fighting this disease. In most families, the woman of the house is the primary caretaker and most vocal healthcare advocate. It’s through her efforts that doctor’s appointments are made and medication is taken. And, it’s largely through the efforts of women that colon cancer is now getting the attention it deserves.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and a great opportunity to openly discuss the disease and learn how we can prevent it. Understanding risk factors, symptoms, and screening options will not only help in avoiding the disease, but could mean the difference between life and death.
While we all know how hard it can be to get the men in our lives to the doctor’s office, it’s vital that we take care of our own colon health as well. It is a common misconception that men are more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer than women. The statistics show that colon cancer affects both genders equally. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 150,000 people will be diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer this year with women accounting for 70,000 new cases. However, there are some key differences between the sexes when it comes to the colon.
- A woman’s colon is much curvier than a man’s colon and can be more difficult to test. Due to the size and shape of a woman's colon, recent studies have shown it requires a different approach to screening. New equipment is being developed to accommodate these differences
Many believe that if they have no symptoms, they are in the clear, but this kind of thinking can be deadly. Colon cancer most often has no symptoms until it has already progressed to later stages, making it much more difficult to treat. The good news is that a routine colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 50 for most individuals could help save thousands of lives in this country every year because polyps can be found and removed before they have a chance to turn into cancer.
It is important to realize that colon cancer doesn’t just affect those over the age of 50. Be aware of the risk factors. Knowing your family health history is imperative. If someone in your family battled colon cancer OR had colon polyps, you probably need to be screened earlier and should talk to your doctor right away. Also, if you suffer from Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis or Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you are at an increased risk of developing this disease.
The results of screening are undeniable. Screening can reduce colon cancer deaths by up to 90%. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable diseases and is a very curable cancer...if it’s caught early. Sadly, too many cases are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease when treatment is challenging.
The Colon Cancer Alliance is working hard to change the way people talk about colon cancer, encouraging frank and open discussions at events across the country. On March 2nd, Dress in Blue Day will sweep across the nation, uniting survivors and families and spreading the message that this is a disease we can do something about – if we take action and get screened. Why blue? Much like the pink ribbon for breast cancer, the blue star of hope is the universal symbol for colon cancer. Women are the most active participants in the Dress in Blue Day program, spearheading educational and fundraising events in their offices, schools and communities.
1 in 19 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer, but you have the power to change that by starting a simple conversation with your family and friends and making sure you’re taking care of YOU. But I hope you won’t stop there. If you’d like to join the fight against this disease, the Colon Cancer Alliance has a multitude of volunteer opportunities. Please visit www.ccalliance.org to find out how you can help.
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Jasmine Greenamyer is the Chief Operating Officer of the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), the leading national patient advocacy organization dedicated to increasing screening rates and survivorship. The CCA provides hope and support to patients and their families, while saving lives through screening, access, awareness, advocacy and research.
Jasmine Greenamyer, MPH
Chief Operating Officer
Colon Cancer Alliance
1025 Vermont Ave.
Suite 1066
Washington, DC 20005
202-628-0123 Ext. 102
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